If you can help them understand the local market and you strike a deal that eases some of the pain points you might have some luck.  

FYI all your home info (prop taxes, mortgage, permits) are now easily accessible via City of Los Angeles on ZeneHome

That doesn't strike me as correct.

I happened to stumble across a buyer than needed owner financing who was willing to pay $10,000 more than his strike price so I gave him the $5,000 he wanted to vacate his option and pocketed the extra $5,000 on the increased sales price myself. 

On finding good deals, I am thinking about keeping tabs on MLS properties that do not sell and circling back 6  months or so after the listing expires to see if I can strike a better deal.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/court-strikes-down-hamilton-licensing-fee-for-apartments/article_3092de90-3fc0-11e5-b921-e36a0670ed66.htmlhttp://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/2750/the-original-portsmouth-licensing-fee-declared-unconstitutional

I don't think so. in my opinion none of this is even necessary. they bought the house for $9300 and they don't strike me as the sort that will put anything into a remodeling budget, so why not be honest and straight forward.  

., and ultimately decided against them even with huge discounts as not only can it be expensive for mold remediation, but I believe you are then forever after required to disclose that there was mold in the house and that remediation was done, so a lifetime strike against the property, like a car with a history of damage from accidents or flood.  

It will boil down to whatever deal you strike with the broker. 

I understand completely not going back to the have-a-pulse-sign-here days, but I do think there are protections in place that strike a nice balance in promoting responsible home ownership, and anyone who has applied for a loan these days knows how strict they are requiring proper documentation.